Devices for carrying personal apparatus on a limb

ABSTRACT

A system for carrying apparatus for personal use for example portable sound reproduction apparatus, on a limb is disclosed. The system includes a bracelet adapted to fit around a limb of the user, a casing including a cavity shaped and dimensioned to receive the apparatus itself therein, and a cable or lead storage unit including a necked configuration around which one or more cables or leads may be wound for temporary storage. The casing and cable or lead storage unit can each be attached to the bracelet or attached directly to one another. The bracelet may be of slap bracelet construction.

The present invention relates to devices for carrying apparatus for personal use, for example portable sound reproduction apparatus, on a limb—usually the arm, but if desired the leg, of the user of the apparatus.

In recent years, the developments in coding and storage of digitised music have led to the production of small solid state memory devices which can, however, store a substantial quantity of recorded music and which can provide a personal listening experience via earpieces. A variety of such devices are now available on the market, for example under the trade mark “iPod”.

Despite their relatively small size, the sound reproduction apparatus needs to be supported appropriately, for example by being placed in a pocket of a garment worn by the listener or attached directly or via a suitable casing to part of the wearer's clothing, most often a belt. A wide variety of casings for such apparatus is known. In addition to providing a mechanism for attachment of the apparatus, the casing protects the apparatus from scratching or other mechanical damage, reduces the ingress of dirt and dust, and keeps the exterior of the apparatus clean.

Portable sound reproduction apparatus provides the user with personal listening via earphones which need to be fitted to the listener's ears and connected via a lead(s)—often inseparable from the earphones—and plug arrangement to the apparatus on a suitable socket therein. When not being used, the earphones and leads need to be stored safely and preferably unobtrusively.

According to the present invention, there is provided a system for carrying apparatus for personal use, which system comprises a bracelet adapted to fit around a limb of the user, a casing including a cavity shaped and dimensioned to receive the apparatus itself therein, and a cable or lead storage unit including a necked configuration around which one or more cables or leads may be wound for temporary storage, the casing and cable or lead storage unit each being attachable to the bracelet and being directly attachable to one another.

Preferably the bracelet is configured as a so-called “slap bracelet”, i.e. it consists of a length of flexible material in the interior of which is an elongate sprung member having two positions of stability, in one of which the sprung member takes the form of a substantially straight line strip of material and in the other of which it curls up to form a substantially circular shape with the ends of the sprung member overlapped. The ends of the bracelet preferably include slots or other configurations since, even in the case of a slap bracelet which usually holds around the wrist or ankle of the wearer without further mechanisms, it is desirable to provide means for securing the ends of the bracelet together so as to render the bracelet more positively attached round a limb of the wearer. These may include conventional buckles or catches. Alternatively the bracelet may include one or more magnets forming a magnetic attachment. If desired, the bracelet may be attachable to the wearer by means of an additional elasticated elongate strip which is located between the two bracelet ends. This is of particular value when it is desired to attach the bracelet to the thicker portion of a limb, for example the thigh. Resilient bands may be provided to hold overlapping portions of the bracelet together for added security. The material of the bracelet is preferably a rubbery plastics material (with internal steel spring in the case of a slap bracelet configuration).

The casing is preferably in the form of a resilient relatively tight-fitting casing into which the apparatus may be inserted, and which is made of a material which is sufficiently elastic to enable easy insertion but to hold the apparatus firmly once inserted. A preferred material is moulded silicone rubber which, additionally to keeping the apparatus clean and scratch-free, protects it from impact shock if the casing containing the apparatus is dropped.

The cable or lead storage unit preferably has to either side of the necked configuration means for attaching it to the casing and to the bracelet. One such means may be a clip, which, if desired, can enable the storage unit to be attached to e.g. an article of clothing, rather than to the casing for the apparatus for personal use. The cable or lead storage unit may also be configured to provide at least one receptacle for the receipt of at least one earpiece.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is provided a slap bracelet having formed on an outer face thereof when the bracelet is in coiled position, a resilient flexible casing shaped and dimensioned to receive apparatus for personal use and to hold it in place relative to the bracelet itself.

The invention is illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic exploded side view of a system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of parts of the system shown in FIG. 1 assembled together;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the system as worn round the wrist of a person, while

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 showing the system as worn round the arm or leg of person;

FIG. 5 shows four views of the cable winder unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative assembly of a bracelet, cable storage unit and casing; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 but for a larger item of personal apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1, the system shown consists of a flexible moulded silicone rubber casing 1 configured to fit an iPod Shuffle (Registered Trade Mark) device, a cable winder 2 and a bracelet 3. The bracelet 3 is a slap bracelet made up of an outer flexible cover strip 20, an interior strip of sprung steel 21, and an inner flexible strip 22. Strips 20 and 22 are made of silicone rubber and have recesses on their facing surfaces to allow for the snug reception of strip 21 when the bracelet is assembled by bringing together strips 20 and 22 and fixing them one to another at their edges, for example by means of adhesion or welding. At their ends, strips 20 and 22 have apertures 23 through which the ends of an elastic extension strap 29 having a buckle arrangement 31 may pass. The ends of strap 29 may carry inter-engageable burr fastener pads to enable each end to be secured to bracelet 3 by passing the end through apertures 23 and then inter-engaging the burr fastener pads, all four of which are on the underside of strap 29 as viewed in FIG. 1. The bracelet 3 also includes two fastener bands 25 which are held captive on the assembled bracelet by their own elasticity. The bracelet 3 may have a slightly relieved portion (denoted 42) to enable casing 1 or cable winder 2 to be located at a specific position along its extent.

The resilient casing 1 may fit directly on the bracelet shown in FIG. 2. If the assembly shown in FIG. 2 is to be worn around the wrist, since bracelet 3 functions as a slap bracelet it may simply be flipped to the curled up position, and will then remain in place; however, for greater security, bands 25 may hold overlapping parts of bracelet 3 together, as shown in FIG. 3.

If, however, the circumference of the limb on which the device is to be held is slightly larger, then strap 29 may be used, as shown in FIG. 4, with its ends passing through apertures 23 in bracelet 3. By adjusting the position of strap 29 in buckle 31, the assembly of bracelet and strap may be fitted appropriately to the size of the limb on which it is located.

Referring now to FIG. 5, this shows the cable winder unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 from different angles. The unit 2 consists basically of a silicone rubber moulding 60 and a metal mounting plate 62 attached thereto. A moulded bridge 64 is provided to enable the unit to be fitted on to bracelet 3. A through hole may be provided in moulding 60 to enable the unit (and any casing 1 attached thereto) to be worn on the breast, using a lanyard (not shown) threaded through the hole and placed about the wearer's neck.

FIG. 5 shows a lead 66 wound round the central necked region of moulding 60. By choosing suitable shapings and dimensions for the moulding 60, a standard lead as supplied with personal audio reproduction apparatus may substantially fill the neck region when coiled up around it, and be held from uncoiling by the resilient grip of the silicone rubber moulding 60 itself. Moulding 60 also includes a resilient socket 68 on each side into which an earpiece 69 may be fitted, and a cylindrical socket 70 into which the standard plug may be resiliently fitted.

FIG. 6 shows the positioning of a casing 1 adjacent a cable unit 2 which is in turn mounted on a bracelet 3. Casing 1 is configured for an iPod “shuffle” apparatus. FIG. 7 shows a similar arrangement, but with a casing 80 configured to receive an “iPod nano” apparatus instead.

As can be seen from the above description of a specific way of putting the invention into practice, the user may vary widely how the elements of the system are used. Each of its components may be used separately if desired, and each pairing of two components is also possible (bracelet and cable winding and storage device, bracelet and casing, and casing and cable winding and storage device), as well as the combination of all three components. The casing, bracelet and cable winding and storage device may be produced in a range of sizes, colours and finishes, providing a wider selection for those whose wearing of the system of the invention needs to coordinate with other items they are wearing and/or the circumstances of use of the personal apparatus in question. 

1. A system for carrying apparatus for personal use, which system comprises a bracelet adapted to fit around a limb of a user, a casing including a cavity shaped and dimensioned to receive the apparatus itself therein, and a cable or lead storage unit including a necked configuration around which one or more cables or leads may be wound for temporary storage, the casing and the cable or lead storage unit each being attachable to the bracelet and being directly attachable to one another.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the bracelet is configured as a slap bracelet.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein ends of the bracelet include slots or other configurations enabling the ends of the bracelet to be secured together so as to render the bracelet more positively attached around a limb of the wearer.
 4. The system according to claim 3, further including an additional elasticated elongate strip which is attachable between the ends of the bracelet.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the bracelet is composed of a rubbery plastics material.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the casing is a resilient relatively tight-fitting casing constructed and arranged to receive the apparatus and is composed of a material which is sufficiently elastic to enable easy insertion of the apparatus while holding the apparatus firmly once inserted.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the casing is molded from silicon rubber.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cable or lead storage unit has, to either side of the necked configuration, means for attaching the storage unit to the casing and to the bracelet.
 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cable or lead storage unit is configured to provide at least one receptacle for receipt of at least one earpiece.
 10. A slap bracelet comprising an outer face which, when the bracelet is in coiled position, has formed thereon a resilient flexible casing shaped and dimensioned to receive apparatus for personal use and to hold the apparatus in place relative to the bracelet itself.
 11. A system according to claim 2, wherein ends of the bracelet include slots or other configurations enabling the ends of the bracelet to be secured together so as to render the bracelet more positively attached around a limb of the wearer. 